Death toll from Chile wildfires surpasses 20
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The death toll from wildfires raging in south-central Chile has risen to 23, with more than 500 people injured, according to the country's Interior Minister.
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Burning embers of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, in Doyle, Calif., on July 9, 2021. (AFP)
The death toll from wildfires raging in south-central Chile has risen to 23, with over 500 people injured, according to Interior Minister Carolina Toha.
"554 people were injured, 16 of them are in serious condition... 22 people have died," Toha told journalists on Saturday, as broadcast by Chile’s disaster management authority on social media.
The death toll was later raised to 23.
Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere, one of the worst wildfire outbreaks in Chile's recent history is ravaging the country.
— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) February 4, 2023
At least 13 people, including one firefighter, have been killed by the fires as they race into populated neighborhoods. pic.twitter.com/nnsrDh2qeH
The Chilean government extended an emergency order to another region on Saturday, adding Araucania to the list of regions under an emergency order, which also included Biobio and Nuble.
#Chile #LaAraucanía #IncendioForestal #IncendiosForestales #Wildfires
— 🚨 MiBaWi 🇩🇪🇺🇲🇨🇦🇨🇱🇪🇸🇦🇺🇺🇦🇮🇩🇳🇱 (@Michael45231497) February 4, 2023
A group of firefighters fighting the #wildfire between #LosSauces and #Traiguen threatened to be trapped.
The 13 managed to escape .... pic.twitter.com/jnvq4Ohb8A
Senapred, Chile's disaster agency, announced on Friday that at least 13 people had died as a result of forest fires raging across several regions, including Biobio, Nuble, and La Araucania.
Absolute chaos in Chile today. 7 people have been reported killed so far during this week’s fires. I am getting reports from helicopter pilots down there working, seeing whole villages run over while they try to operate. Unreal accounts coming out of the country #Chile #wildfire pic.twitter.com/IMxjoh0iLo
— TheHotshotWakeUp: Podcast (@HotshotWake) February 4, 2023
76 new fires were started on Friday, with another 16 beginning on Saturday, according to Toha. On Saturday, the temperature in Chile, which is in the midst of summer, reached 104°F (40°C).
There are currently 251 wildfires raging in Chile.
More scenes from Chile’s wildfire bust this week. Here in Tomè crews are doing structure protection after the fire jumped the road. I’ve been told by folks that are in the know that there that there is only one Aerotek platform available for the entire country. #wildfire #chile pic.twitter.com/VTm2PLWNAM
— TheHotshotWakeUp: Podcast (@HotshotWake) February 3, 2023
